The virus, which is very contagious and deadly if not caught early, but not common as a vaccine is available and infection is preventable.

Symptoms of the disease includes; lethargy, severe vomiting, loss of appetite and bloody, foul-smelling diarrhea that can lead to life-threatening dehydration.

Parvovirus can be transmitted by any person, animal or object that comes in contact with an infected dog’s feces, highly resistant, the virus can live in the environment for months, and may survive on inanimate objects such as clothes, carpet and floors.